Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-14
Of ths Michiran asylum. sls aaz 81. and In

of the Michigan asylum, SIS, 1877 81, and in
thehands OF tho treasurer OF the
Eastern asylum, S4l,S25,9. Some
provision should be made TO
place this surplus in the state treasury
the source from which most of IL has been
drawn.
In some localities where fish have been
planted, while yet small and worthless for
food they have been caught out and used
for fertillzing purposes. In order TO reap
the benefit OF the fish commission, IL Is rec
commended that To them he given authority
TO appoint wardens whose duties il shall
be 20 watch and guard the deposits OF fish
when made. IL also earnestly recommends
that the fish interests be required to pay
the expense incurred in propagation and
protection. Under the present law the an
nual expense Is not far from $4,000. The
appointment OF wardens will add TO this
expense and trust that the powe OF the
board will be enlarged and that provisions
be made for placing a charge upon seines
sufficient TO defray expenses.
The business and property of the rail
roads OF the state have more than doubled
in II years, but with this increase in miles
Of road, property and business, there has
been no increase in the force provided for
railroad commission. The railroad engin-
GERS respectfully ask for the appointment
of an assistant, who shall be an expert and
shall be appointed jim the same manner
as the deputy railroad commissioner, and
that his duties shall be the thorough ex
animation OF switches, bridges, etc. They
believe this will add an additional safe
guard 20 the property as well as
the lives or Themselves and the millions of
passengers annually lntrusted to their
vigilance and tdelity
The relation between capital and labor
Is attracting widespreadattcntiOn and the
best thought OF the nation. Discontinued
labor renders capital cautious and tlmid,
and this timidity reacts and INJURIES labor.
The first duty Of law IL to guard aud pro.
httr,a =. \
other property interests must be pro-
tected. Every possible opportunity should
be afforded and encouragement extended
TO toilers that the wisdom of the law
maker can devise. II will give the govern
or great pleasure 20 cooperate with the
legislature in deyising means that will AID
in lettering the condition and elevating
the tOllcrs OF our state.
Il believe says the governor that
when any considerable portion of tho peo-
pie desire To express themselves 10y voting
upon "A change in the organic law, they
ought % bee allowed 70 do SO in a cOnstitu-
tional manner. IL Is believed that large
number OF our citizens, realizing the evils
OF incompetence, desiring 10 express their
convictions in relation to the question Of
an amendment TO the constitution prohi-
biting the manufacture ana sale OF intOxi-
eating liquors. And 10 is earnestly hoped
that IN compliance with this sentiment
YOU Will, at an early day, adopt such a
Joint resolution
Two years ago the legislature provided
for an advisory board of pardons. This
was judicious, but the governor can
not escape the obligation inn
posed upon him by the constitu-
ton. and with him the power and author
ity rests. If we were to follow the prompt
inGs ot sympathy with those whose liberty
Is restrained and with their friends and
relatives. tho prison doors would be opened
and the inmates allowed TO depart. But
law and order must j" maintained and the
Men are not placed in prison simply TO
punish them. And while the christian
civilization of the age prompts efforts to
reform criminals. yet this is not the pur-
pose Of Incarceration Tho real object is
to prevent the commission OF crime, and to
this end all legislative and exec Itive action
should tend. The most efectual remedy
against the commission OF crime is the
certainty OF punishment. | firmly believe
that the free exercise of the pardoning
power encourages crime. II removes one
element from the certainty OF punishment.
And again, very few can push their claims
for pardon without the use of money, and
in this way those who can command mon
ey enjoy an advantage over those who
cannot. After giving much thought TO
the subject have concluded that 10 will
be my duty 10 Withhold the executive
/ clemency, unless evidence not produced
on trial IS presented tending to show thac
the applicant was not guilty, or evidence
that Will mitigate the oHense.
In conclusion, | desire to express the
hope that your deliberations may be har-
monious your session brief and the result
of your labors beneficial 10 al the people
I ~ hi afaf.